Sergio Conceicao has already entered the hearts of AC Milan fans by winning a trophy after two games, but it could have all been very different.
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According to what is being reported by SudInfo (via La Gazzetta dello Sport), Conceiçao was close to signing for the Belgian national team in December, who were looking – and apparently still are looking – for a replacement for Domenico Tedesco.
The Belgian source even claim that taking the job would have guaranteed him a salary more or less double what he has been earning in these six months at Milan. The deal didn’t close because Sergio was evidently not 100% convinced of the opportunity.
Tedesco is at odds with Belgium, a national team that many believe have their best days behind them giving the fact that a lot of their stars have become the ‘old guard’ and are ageing. Thus, the Red Devils are going through a difficult process of renewal.
It’s no coincidence that in recent months Conceiçao also said no to some Brazilian teams and an offer from England. Instead, he hoped to have a chance at a high level after leaving Porto and when Milan came along, he accepted without thinking about it.
He sees the Rossoneri as a great club, and Italian football is something he has always wanted to return to after playing in Serie A for so long. That’s why he signed a one-and-a-half-year contract, guaranteed for only the first six months.
The idea was to earn a stay based on results, and it would be fair to say that it is a case of ‘so far, so good’ after beating Juventus and Inter to win a trophy after less than 10 days.